Why are the left and right lungs two different sizes?
by 
wickedwillie
ANSWERS: 4
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Because of the other stuff in there that needs room, I think.
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The right lung contains three lobes, while the left lung contains only two. No one knows why this is though. It is a mystery. My physiology teacher would say, "Because God made it that way."
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The right lung is about 1 inch shorter than the left lung due to the space that the liver takes up. The right lung is also broader than the left lung due to the placement of the heart. This implies more common anatomy, if the person is situs inversus then the answer would be just the opposite.
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The right lung is larger and has more lobes than the left lung (3 vs 2) because the heart is normally located on the left side, and takes up space where the lung would have been. The right lung, which is heavier than the left, is also shorter (the right dome of the diaphragm being higher) and wider (the heart bulging more to the left). Each lung has an apex, three surfaces (costal, medial, and diaphragmatic), and three borders (anterior, inferior, and posterior). The right lung is divided into upper, middle, and lower lobes by oblique and horizontal fissures, whereas the left lung has usually only upper and lower lobes, separated by an oblique fissure. http://www.instantanatomy.net/.../fissures.html http://www.health24.com/.../...05-1642,21491.asp http://www.getbodysmart.com/.../menu.html http://mtsu32.mtsu.edu/lunglobes.htm http://www.enchantedlearning.com/.../ http://www.answers.com/topic/human-lung
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